Therapy: At times, clinically I was aware of the process, but applying it to myself, I could be clueless. My journey leads to this anonymous place where I can tell of my life of abuse and trauma primarily through my past journals, current commentary, some current journaling and posts on specific issues I face. I hope to increase awareness & compassion for those of us with mental illness.

Fragmentation: a mental process where a person becomes intensely emotionally focused on one aspect of themselves, such as “I am angry” or “no one loves me,” to the point where all thoughts, feelings and behavior demonstrate this emotional state, in which, the person does not or is unable to take into account the reality of their environment, others or themselves and their resources. This is a term that my therapist and I use and is on the continuum of dissociation.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

CC here from Southern California in a hugging mood today. Today, January 21st, is World Hug Day. This day was founded in the U.S., but has spread all over the world. Some nations and Americans call iting Day Hug Day, World Hug Day, Send a Hug Day, International Hug Day, and even Hug a Bear Day! It is a reminder to show the world that 'peace begins with me.'

According to the Website, Squidoo , there are many benefits to hugging…..

This simple act accomplishes many things that you may have never considered.

· It feels good.

· It dispels loneliness.

· It overcomes fear.

· It opens doors to feelings.

· It builds self-esteem.

· It fosters altruism.

· It slows down aging (huggers stay young longer).

· It helps curb appetite (we eat less when we are nourished by hugs and when our arms are busy wrapped around others).

· It eases tension.

· It fights insomnia.

· It keeps arms and shoulder muscles in condition.

· It provides stretching exercise if you are short.

· It provides stooping exercise if you are tall.

· It offers a wholesome alternative to promiscuity.

· It offers a healthy, safe alternative to alcohol and other drug abuse (better hugs than drugs!).

· It affirms physical being.

· It is democratic (anyone is eligible for a hug).

Some of the additional benefits to hugging include

· It is ecologically sound (it does not upset the environment).

· It is energy-efficient (saves heat).

· It is portable (you can take it with you).

· It requires no special equipment.

· It demands no special setting (a fine place for a hug is any place from a doorstep to an executive conference room … from a church parlor to a football field).

· It makes happy days happier.

· It imparts feelings of belonging.

· It fills up empty places in our lives.

· It keeps on working to dispense benefits even after the hug is released.

· Blood pressure increased significantly more among the no-contact group as compared to the huggers.

· Heart rate among those without contact increased 10 beats a minute, compared to five beats a minute for huggers.

According to the Greeting Card Association, the benefits of greeting cards include the following:

· Mean someone has taken the time to send a special message
· Add a personal touch to special occasions and holidays
· Connect us to all different types of people including co-workers, teachers, family and friends
· Help us put our emotions into words
· Provide a tangible keepsake to document special moments in our lives
· Help us reach across generation, gender and cultural communication gaps
· Provide comfort to someone and make sad times less painful
· Boost emotional well-being through reaching out to others
· Make a loved one feel special
· Preserve memories of connections with friends and family
· Show someone you care!

We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth. —Virginia Satir, family therapist